Episode 41: Natasha Bell, Thriller Author and Creative Writing Teacher
Aug 7, 2024
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Natasha Bell, a psychological thriller author and creative writing teacher, dives into the art of storytelling. She discusses how life experiences shape her characters and the complexities of managing multiple timelines in narratives. Bell emphasizes the importance of community in teaching creative writing and shares insights on revisiting unfinished projects. She also highlights the significance of structure in storytelling and shares tips on using Scrivener for non-linear writing, blending practical advice with her personal writing journey.
Natasha Bell's eight-year journey to finish her first novel highlights the importance of perseverance and the potential for story ideas to evolve over time.
The transformation of her book's title and genre through the publishing process underscores the significance of aligning with market expectations while maintaining the story's essence.
Deep dives
The Long Journey to Novel Completion
The episode highlights the lengthy process of writing a novel, with emphasis on Natasha Bell's experience of taking eight years to finish her first book. Initially, she struggled to find the right perspective and voice for her story, which began with a character and a compelling event. After stepping away for a period, she returned to the project during her master's program, which reignited her passion and led to significant progress. This narrative underscores that when a story continues to resonate, it may be worth revisiting, as ideas can linger and evolve over time.
Evolution of Genre and Titles
Natasha's first novel underwent a transformation in its title and genre classification as it evolved during the publishing process. Starting out with a different title, it was initially unclear where the book fit in the market until discussions with her editors clarified its classification as a psychological thriller. The title change from 'His Perfect Wife' to 'Exhibit Alexandra' illustrated the dynamic nature of a manuscript as it aligns more closely with genre conventions. This evolution reflects the importance of understanding market expectations while honoring the essence of the story.
Teaching and Learning in Creative Writing
The episode explores the complexities of teaching writing and the idea that writing is fundamentally a problem-solving process shared among students and tutors. Natasha emphasizes that each writer must navigate their unique challenges, but that a supportive environment can enhance the writing journey. Additionally, she discusses how workshops often facilitate deeper learning through critiques, allowing writers to gain insights from reviewing peers' work. By fostering a community of writers, creative writing courses can alleviate the isolation often felt in the literary pursuit.